"Sword… of public opinion? Can those two words even go together?"
Even March 7th was starting to sense something was off.
That sword technique name sounded weird. Was he just making stuff up?
A faint smile appeared on both Yanqing and Yunli's faces.
Compared to learning a sword technique, if their little disciple could at least gain some wisdom, that would already be a big improvement.
"Of course they can!"
Sylvester's gaze was sincere, his tone utterly confident. "When swordsmanship reaches its peak, even a drifting petal or falling leaf can wound. If mere flora can kill, why not words or thoughts? The saying goes: 'Though my hand holds no sword, my heart holds a blade.' That is the ultimate expression of mastery."
"Ohh, that makes sense! I feel so enlightened now!"
March 7th clapped her hands, lips forming a perfect O, as though she had just ascended to some higher plane of sword philosophy.
"...Tsk."
Yanqing sucked on his teeth, turned around, and went back to the resting area, deciding not to interfere any further.
After all, he was March's teacher—he'd have plenty of time later to un-brainwash her and pull her rationality back from whatever strange dimension it had wandered into.
At least Miss March was a little sharper than that Cloud Knights girl, Sushang, right?
Worst case, he could always beg the Arbiter-General or the Diviner for help and have her head cleaned out again.
Yunli, meanwhile, was speechless.
Was March 7th that desperate to improve her strength quickly? Was that why she'd fallen for this nonsense?
She watched the girl's sparkling eyes and hyperactive energy, then compared it to her usual self—and grew even more confused.
Sure, March could be scatterbrained and whimsical at times, but she wasn't this far gone… right?
Puzzled, Yunli returned to the resting area. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the Trailblazer sitting up straight again—looking completely calm and unbothered, as if the one screaming her head off moments ago had been someone else entirely.
Was the Trailblazer's mental fortitude really this strong?
Stelle let out a deep sigh as she watched March 7th listening intently to Sylvester's lecture. "Guess keeping an eye on March's training is more fun."
Her thoughts began to drift toward how best to optimize that exosuit's combat potential.
Hmm… wonder how Firefly's doing.
She thought back to the awe-inspiring sight of the SAM mech. If she could just get her hands on a few purple-gold relics for upgrades…
That would be insanely cool.
And maybe, if things went well, it could even help with her Entropic Loss Syndrome problem—then she wouldn't have to worry for the rest of her life!
The thought sent a surge of energy through her. She whipped out her phone, thumbs flying as she messaged her old friend.
Meanwhile, back at the counter, March 7th continued to soak up Sylvester's every word like a sponge.
"The [Sword of Public Opinion] and the [Sentimental Sword Art]—one works outward, the other inward. The first condemns your foe; the second glorifies yourself. Used together, they form the perfect foundation for a legendary heroine persona!"
"This sword manual is that well-thought-out? So meticulous?"
Just two moves in, and you could already establish yourself as a top-tier heroine? That was absurdly strong!
"So how do I actually do it?"
Sylvester nodded sagely. "The reputation of a legendary heroine is built upon several grand events. Simply helping the weak or defeating a few small fry won't cut it. If you want to soar to the top of public attention in one stroke, the best way is to find a top-tier powerhouse and have a duel atop the tallest structure in the Luofu."
He paused, thinking for a moment, then offered what he considered the perfect opponent.
Even if you lost, as long as the fight looked good, your fame would skyrocket.
"And the best opponent would be… my colleague."
"Your colleague?"
March 7th blinked, glancing around the shop. There wasn't another soul in sight.
She looked back at the counter—only one set of tea and snacks. He was clearly serving himself. So… what colleague?
"Could it be… Miss Qingque?" she asked hesitantly.
Even she didn't sound convinced.
While she hadn't seen Qingque fight before, there was no way her fame reached the kind of level Sylvester was describing—unless you were talking about the Celestial Jade League, where she was practically a founding legend.
March was utterly lost, but Yunli and Yanqing immediately caught on.
Sylvester had refused the grand ceremony appointing him as Honorary General, so his name only appeared in official Xianzhou records. Aside from those who had witnessed it firsthand, most of the Luofu's rank-and-file soldiers had no idea that the owner of this humble tea shop was actually one of the highest-ranking authorities in the entire fleet.
Though he didn't involve himself in administration, if Sylvester truly made a request, it would never be refused—unless it threatened the very arteries of the Luofu itself.
And if that was the case… then his "colleague" could only mean—
"No," Sylvester said calmly. "General Jing Yuan. Or, if not him, General Feixiao would do as well."
"WHAT?!"
March 7th's heart nearly skipped a beat.
I—I didn't hear that wrong, did I?!
He wanted her to fight the General?! Was that serious?!
"That's right," Sylvester said without a hint of irony.
"General Jing Yuan, during the Ambrosial Arbor Crisis, summoned the Divine Foresight and with a single 'Leave none alive!' demonstrated to the people of the Luofu that his martial might is as awe-inspiring as ever. As for General Feixiao, her victories echo across the Xianzhou. But since we're in the Luofu, I recommend Jing Yuan."
His eyes gleamed with excitement as he mimed a chopping motion with his hand. "As long as you can endure even one strike from the Divine Foresight—win or lose—you'll be famous across the cosmos!"
"Consider this: Phantylia the Undying, an Emanator of Destruction infused with Abundance's power, fell to a single slash from him. If you can take that and live, well—by rounding up, that basically makes you Emanator-level strength! And who else gets an endorsement like that from a Xianzhou General?!"
Well… most people don't, because they'd be dead.
March's smile froze completely, a twitch forming at the corner of her eye.
Most people also didn't volunteer to be struck by a Divine Foresight, right?!
If she survived, she'd be famous. But if she didn't… she'd just be ash.
Sylvester grinned. "They say, 'When you send a Buddha, send him all the way to the West.' If you're interested, I can arrange it right now. With my connections, Jing Yuan would never refuse such a small request."
"Wait—you can actually get him?" Stelle shot up from her seat, eyes sparkling.
There was unmistakable excitement in her gaze.
"A Xianzhou General versus the Astral Express's Swordmaster… that's headline material!"